Saints want Spurs defender Wimmer, Sun reports

Southampton want to sign Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer, The Sun say.

There has been speculation about Wimmer’s future for some time as he has been unable to establish himself as a first-team player at Spurs.

The Sun say Southampton are planning to move for him because they expect to lose centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

The Saints’ scouting team are said to have pinpointed Wimmer, 24, as a long-term replacement at the heart of their defence.

The Austrian has managed only 12 Premier League appearances since moving to White Hart Lane in 2015 from German club Cologne for a reported fee of £4.3m.

He has been behind Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier in the pecking order of central defenders at Spurs.

Wimmer was deployed as a makeshift left-back during the recent derby defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Tottenham were without the suspended Danny Rose and the injured Ben Davies.

He failed to impress, increasing speculation that he could move on when the transfer window reopens in January.

Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach are also said to be keen on Wimmer, who The Sun say is rated at £6m.